New Super Mario Bros. 2: 4-A

To access this level, use five Star Coins in front of the 1-up House. This level features springy pink mushrooms. Making matters more difficult is the fact that the enemies (namely Goombas) also bounce off the mushrooms. So will the coins. Go right, then break the brick blocks to go down and left for the first Star Coin. Just move; jumping will bounce you over the platform. Keep going right, and you'll see some Red Coins. Next, you'll see a blue pipe making infinite Goombas and a green pipe next to it. It's a cannon. The item block on the left will fly away and has a 1-up. The right brick block can become a Gold Block. You'll drop down on the midpoint. Go right and you'll find the second Star Coin high between two blue pipes over a pink mushroom. You can't reach it on your own, so wait for the Goombas to start bouncing on the mushroom and bounce off one to get it. Coins will soon appear from below. Past the red pipe is an item block level with the platform. Pound it to make a Mini Mushroom appear and head to the right. Follow it past some blue pipes and get it, then go under the pipes for the third Star Coin. Go right and coins will appear from below all of the pink mushrooms. Next is the flag.

Coin Total: 40,656
I completed this level after beating the final boss.

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 4- Ghost House

The item blocks won't move away from you, but they will float up and down. Go up all the stairs; the first door is fake. Step down to the floor and the walls will close in. They are being controlled by Boos and can change direction at any time. As the walls move right, you'll come across parts of the floor that rise. Stand on the far right part of the floor to make it rise to the ceiling. The walls will move to the left, revealing the first Star Coin. The floor will drop away once you get it. The walls will move right again. Wall jump up the left moving wall once past the rising platform that takes you to the first Star Coin to  reach a door overhead. It will take you a giant Boo and the Red Goal, which leads to 4-B. If you don't go for the Red Goal, you'll see a Red Coin Ring. The Red Coins will appear sequentially with other coins. The walls will be close enough for you to wall jump, so do so continuously after you pass the last Red Coin for the second Star Coin, which is near the ceiling. Drop down and you'll see a P-Switch. It produces Silver Coins. Quickly go up the next area. When you reach the spring, go left immediately for the third Star Coin. The left wall will block it off. Spring up to the next level, as the walls will soon close in on you. Wall jump up the left side to reach a door. It leads to a room filled with coins. The walls will soon close in, so jump up to the door. You'll drop down near the flag, with a spring. This leads to 4-2.

Coin Total: 22,843

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 4-1

World 4 is a winter world, so some platforms may be icy. This level is filled with snow, Micro Goombas, and rocks. The rocks are damaging, so go over them. Where there is a rope overhead, the first Star Coin is below with four rocks. Either be quick, or wait until you get a certain item to destroy the rocks. To the right, a rock will drop down and roll to the right. Get on the platforms above and quickly go to the right. You'll see two brick blocks in the rock's path. Take a Koopa shell or use a Raccoon Tail to hit the block to the right. It has a Gold Flower, which can destroy the rocks. Go back left. On the middle platform, there is an invisible block. Hit it and jump on it to reach a higher platform that you couldn't see before. There's a P-Switch that makes Silver Coins over this platform. Hop on the platforms to the right to reach the second Star Coin. Carefully drop down to the midpoint. Rocks will be rolling down nearby, so be careful. To avoid some of them, one of which is giant, go through the blue pipe. It will take you to an icy room with on rock and a random coin block. Go through the top pipe to the left. Wait until the rocks go by and hop up the mountain. At the top, get a running start and jump to the left for coins and the third Star Coin. There's a Gold Ring at the top of the mountain, so activate it and get some coins. The brick block on the mountain has a 1-up. Beware that if you send the Koopa shell down the mountain, it will rebound. There's also a rock at the base of the mountain. Just past it is the flag.

Coin Total: 22,212

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 3-Castle

This level has lots of saws, so stay out of the water and time your jumps. Go up into the alcove with coins to avoid a saw. Jump up and time your jump left to get the first Star Coin. The door at the top will take you to the midpoint. A giant saw is nearby. The minipipe overhead will take you to a Starman, so you can destroy the saws. Otherwise, drop down into the alcoves. The second Star Coin is on a platform with a Dry Bones in the middle of two saws' paths. This will lead into a maze of saws, so be careful. Once you're out of the maze, the boss door is nearby. Before you go through, hit the invisible item block on the right wall and go over to find coins, the third Star Coin, and a powerup. Through the boss door, we enter a room with four pipes. Wendy appears and the room floods with water while she hops around. Cheep-Cheep appear out of the top pipe. The water will drain and Wendy whistles, summoning Cheep-Cheep to jump up from below. When the water drains, you can hit her. The room will flood after a while, so see if you can get in a couple hits. Once defeated, the key will appear. Morton Koopa Jr. will take Peach to the Fort of World 4.

Coin Total: 17,389
The Flower Pack is now available in Coin Rush.

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 3-B

This level features the Mini Mushroom. Get one from the item block, swim through the water, and choose either the red pipe above or the yellow pipe below. The red pipe leads to a faster area than the yellow pipe. Both are automatic sidescrollers. Get the Gold Block and run on the water. The level will start to move. The first Star Coin is over a Parakoopa. Bounce off another Parakoopa to reach the platform below a green pipe. Go up the pipe and the level will stop automatically scrolling. There are Bill Blasters and coins high in the sky of this Coin Heaven. As Mini Mario, you can bounce off the Bullet Bills without stomping on them. Just bounce on them and let them take you through the coins to the second Star Coin at the end. You'll drop down to the midpoint at the end of the area. You can pick up another Mini Mushroom. Go through the pipe. Regardless of which pipe you took at the beginning, it will lead here, which scrolls slowly. There are Red Coins here, as well as brick blocks to make navigating tricky. The third Star Coin is to the right of one set of brick blocks, so get it quickly and jump over the next set. You'll soon make it to the pipe to the flag. This opens a path around the Ghost House to the castle.

Coin Total: 19,141

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 3-5

Take the blue pipe underwater. There are Bloopers in the pipes waiting for you to pass by. Beware of the large rolling rock coming in from the upper right. Let it break the stones guarding the first Star Coin near the Blooper Nanny. Go down the yellow pipe near the Silver Coins and swim after the second Star Coin. Dodge a Blooper in a pipe and take the pipe to the left for the midpoint. There's another P-Switch which makes Silver Coins which lead to a blue pipe. The switch will also stop the current. The blue pipe leads to a P-Switch with more Silver Coins. Let the giant stones give you access to the third Star Coin. Take the pipe at the end to the flag.

Coin Total: 17,280

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 3- Ghost House

This Ghost House is pretty interesting. Hop on the platform and it will be carried by ghosts. Don't worry; they won't hurt you. The platform will dump you off at a door. Go through it and hop on the next platform. Near the top, the first Star Coin is behind a Boo. The platform will disappear and you'll land on a platform below. Transfer again and take the top door. There's a Red Coin Ring. The platform will split up so you can get all the Red Coins. Behind the Boo is a random coin block. Go through the door. There are three platforms at the bottom of the stairs. The middle one will take you to the alcove with the second Star Coin. Take the platform on the right to reach the far right door. It will take you to the third Star Coin. Ride the platform to get it. Take the door on the left. It will return you to the room you were just in. Take the platform on the right again and take it to the second door on the right. The entire floor is a platform, rising up. Stay to the right, even though the platforms will shuffle. When they do, jump to the right for an alcove. Use your Raccoon Tail to break the brick blocks to reach a door. It will take you to Red Goal to the castle. If you can't reach the door, continue up to another door to the regular goal to 3-5.

Coin Total: 16,915

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 3-4

There's more purple water in this level. There are a few Wigglers in this level, as well as crates that bob in the purple water. Don't stand on them for too long or they'll sink. Get some Red Coins and the first Star Coin over a Wiggler on a crate. Jump from the ledge to the right to get it. There's a ? Switch overhead that makes coins appear from the green pipe to the right. Go through the red pipe. This will take you to the midpoint. Here's where things get tricky. The purple water will periodically rise here, to the level marked on the side of the rocks. You'll be jumping on and from boxes. When the water lowers, quickly run to the right under a ledge for the second Star Coin and run back the way you came. The purple water will come through there. Immediately, you'll see two item blocks. Between them is an invisible block with a vine to Coin Heaven. Climb up the platforms, activate the Gold Ring and send the Koopa shell down the path for lots of coins and an item. It drops you back down where the vine is. To the right, up in an alcove, is the third Star Coin. Get it and go left and over the ledge for coins. Soon, you'll reach the green pipe to the flag. There's a Wiggler there. This leads to the Ghost House. Under the ledge with the green pipe to the flag is a red pipe blocked by brick blocks. Break them with a Raccoon Tail or Koopa shell. There's a Gold Block. Jump off the crate to reach the stairs to the Red Goal to 3-B.

Coin Total: 16,455

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 3- Fort

The level starts out on a platform just above the water, where a Fishbone swims around. Hop in the water and go left. If the Fishbone sees you, it will swim towards you until it runs into you or something else, which will cause it to break apart. Drop slightly down the gap and swim left to an new room with moving stones. The first Star Coin is to the left over the item blocks. Go back and through the green pipe on the right. The level becomes a vertical automatic sidescroller, with you swimming to avoid Fishbones and moving stones. The second Star Coin is on the right, past two sets of stones with spikes. The stones blocking your way will move up and out of your way. There are spiked pillars in this area. The midpoint is blocked off, so you'll be safe for a while. Get a powerup and Gold Block while you're there. As you swim up, you'll see a Red Coin Ring between pipes with currents. Go through the green one for the third Star Coin. Carefully swim up, avoiding Fishbones and spiked pillars. Go through the green pipe at the top. There are a couple of item blocks to the left of the boss door. There are four Reznor this time. Just hit the blocks below them. If the floor starts disappearing before you can get them all, hop on one of the blocks one was standing on. Once you defeat them all, Wendy drops in, then takes Peach to the castle.
If you happen to be Mini Mario, there's a mini pipe below the midpoint to the right. The level automatically scrolls up past moving stones and spiked pillars. At one point, you'll stop between stones. Stones will come in from the sides, first the bottom, then top, then center, then both the top and bottom, then the center. Avoid being crushed. The stones will then close in from the bottom, but you'll eventually be able to swim up. Don't swim up too quickly, as there are stones, spike pillars, and a Fishbone directly above. Stay below the Fishbone as you won't be able to swim up before the pillars and stones close in on you. The brick blocks to the left contain 2 1-ups. The red pipe to the right opens up the path to the cannon.

Coin Total: 19,507

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 3-3

We leave the beach for the jungle with purple water. Falling into it is like falling into lava. There are spider webs in this level that Mario can cling to briefly. They will slowly disappear, but reappear a few moments later. Where there are spider webs, there are spiders, so be careful. Use the webs to hit a ! Switch to make blocks appear below so you can go through the yellow pipe to the left. Hit the middle brick block for another ! Switch and climb up the stairs to the left. Let the spider lower itself down, then bounce off it to get the first Star Coin and wall jump to safety, if you need to. Go through the other yellow pipe and pass three spiders to reach the midpoint. Wall jump up for Red Coins. Go right and bounce off a spider to reach a yellow pipe above. Hit the ! Switch to make red blocks appear and go up. Bounce off the spider when it's higher up to reach the second Star Coin to the left. Soon after, you'll find the third Star Coin under a platform. Use the webs below to reach it. Climb back up and keep climbing on the webs for so you can land higher on the flagpole.

Coin Total: 15,246

Wii U Launch News

Nintendo has announced which titles will be available on the Wii U's launch day. They are as follows:
Call of Duty: Black Ops II, Skylanders Giants, Transformers Prime, Wipeout 3, Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two, FIFA Soccer 13, Tekken Tag Tournament 2 Wii U Edition, New Super MArio Bros. U, Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge, Nintendo Land, SiNG Party, Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, Warriors Orochi 3 Hyper, Darksiders II, Assassin's Creed III, ESPN Sports Connection, Just Dance 4, Rabbids Land, Your Shape: Fitness Evolved 2013, ZombiU, Scribblenauts Unlimited, Game Party Champions, and Batman: Arkham City Armored Edition.

Other games will be available later in the month of November (in the United States). They include:
Chasing Aurora,  Cloudberry Kingdom, Madden NFL 13, Trine 2: Director's Cut, Mighty Switch Force HD, Tank! Tank! Tank!, Nano Assault Neo, Little Inferno, and Toki Tori 2.

The rest of the games will be available later in the launch window.

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 3-A

This level costs 5 Star Coins to unlock. The item block has a powerup. Going into the water will make coins appear over the log. Hop out of the water with the strong current and land on the pipe, then go get them. Take the pipe underwater. There are strong currents in the water, so there's no going back. The P-Switch makes Silver Coins. Follow the arrows to avoid the Cheep-Cheep, especially those in a diagonal line. Rocks will split the path. Stay towards the top to get the first Star Coin, then immediately go down to avoid Cheep-Cheep. Take the red pipe at the end down. Go down the small vortext in the gap to the left for the second Star Coin. Use the ? Switch to stop the currents and get the Starman. Otherwise, you'll find a maze of currents. Go down, up the center to the top, right, down to the middle, and right. You'll reach the midpoint and an item block with a powerup. Go up the red pipe. The current will push you upward past some Urchins, then right. If you have a Gold Flower (and you can get on in the random item block just before the current changes directions), you can reach the blue pipe overhead for coins. Otherwise, steer carefully, especially if you want to get the Red Coins. The path ahead is littered with Urchins. The ceiling level will change, which is where you'll find the third Star Coin. It is at a point where the ceiling is lower. Urchins guard it on either side. When Urchins line both the floor and ceiling in one area, you're near the pipe to the flag pole. That was nerve-wracking.

Coin Total: 40,250
I beat this level after beating the final boss.

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 3-2

Time to go swimming! Take the pipe underwater. In this level, you'll find a periodic vortex here and there. The level is also crawling with Urchins, so take them out with fireballs. Making your life difficult are some snake platforms that get in your way, and can possibly crush you. The first Star Coin is in the second vortex. Wait until the vortex goes away to get it. If you have a Fire Flower, there's a fire pipe that will make coins in bubbles, as well as a Starman, if you give it enough fireballs.  Avoid the giant Cheep-Cheep and reach the midpoint. If, by chance, you have a Gold Flower, destroy the brick blocks over the magenta pipe. It will take you to an area with lots of brick blocks so you can make lots of coins. Go down the yellow pipe with one vortex on the left and another on the right. It will lead to several snake platforms, blue Cheep-Cheep and the second Star Coin. The P-Switch gives you several Silver Coins. Take out the blue Cheep-Cheep if you can; they'll chase you through the final part of the level, where you'll be dealing with snake platforms and Urchins floating up and down. The third Star Coin is in this area. The pipe at the end takes you to the flag.

Coin Total: 15,001

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 3-1

This is a beach world. There are lots of Cheep-Cheep jumping out of the water in this level. Activating the Gold Rings will make them trail coins. The coins will drop away if you stomp the Cheep-Cheep before you collect them. Bounce off the Cheep-Cheep to get the first Star Coin. The ? Switch makes coins come out of the overhead green pipes. There is a ferris wheel platform later on in the level. Wall jump off it and the pipe with a Piranha Plant for the second Star Coin. Soon, you'll come across some barrels floating in the water. Stand on the second barrel and let it drop down so you can get the third Star Coin. Take the first green pipe near the random coin block down. Coins will appear from the yellow pipe here. There is also a Gold Ring here. Take the pipe back up to the flag.

Coin Total: 14,612

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 2-Castle

To get around in this castle, we'll have to take a pressure-sensitive boat across the lava. If we step on it, it will move forward, but stops the moment we jump off. Hop on the taller stack of brick blocks for the first Star Coin. There will be Buzzy Beetles just waiting to hop on the boat. Just before the midpoint are a couple of Thwomps. Trigger them before the boat is underneath them to make them fall into the lava and get rid of them permanently. There's similar boat on the other side of the midpoint. Hit the item block over the lava for a spring and take it with you. Soon, you'll find the second Star Coin circling around. Beware of the fireballs that appear from the lava. There are rotating stacks of brick blocks that can push you around if you're not careful. Use them to your advantage, such as trying to get the Red Coins. Make sure they don't push the spring into the lava. You'll need it to reach the overhead red pipe, which takes you to the third Star Coin. Fly or hit the P-Switch to get it. You'll soon come to the boss door. There's an invisible block with an item on the right wall. Iggy slaps himself and hops into his Chomp-driven car. We have to stomp him three times for victory. The Chomp will look in the direction it will go next. Once hit, the Chomp will go to either the ceiling or floor, then lunge up from wherever you see dirt coming from. All the while, Iggy will attempt to hit you with fireballs. Once defeated, you'll get the key and Wendy O. Koopa will take Peach to the fort of World 3.

Coin Total: 14,278
We get a message saying "A new world is available for the Mushroom Pack in Coin Rush!"

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 2-5

There are Chomps in this level. Although dangerous, they will help us reach places. Have the third one break some brick blocks to your right so you can reach the first Star Coin over some quicksand. Keep going right and you'll see two Chomps over some quicksand. It will take a few ground pounds, but free the one next to the red pipe. The rock below the Chomp will lower so you can reach the pipe. The second Star Coin is between the two Chomps. They're not that close together, but still be careful. The blue pipe out of that area will take you to the midpoint. You'll soon see more Chomps. Make your way down the yellow blocks, staying toward the left to get the third Star Coin. Avoid a Boomerang Bro once out of the area with the third Star Coin and you'll find a Red Coin. Ring between two Chomps over quicksand. There is a Boomerang Bro in front of the flag.

Coin Total: 13,925

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 2-B

Bob-ombs with parachutes are raining down on the level. Pokeys are also crawling around.  There are cannons that shoot out the Bob-ombs with the parachutes. Use the Bob-ombs to break the blocks surrounding the first Star Coin. Put Bob-ombs on the tops of the hills to make them blow their tops for lots of coins. Go past the midpoint and go into the quicksand with the coins. It will take you underground. Use a Bob-omb to blow up the hill's top for  coins and the second Star Coin. Take the green pipe cannon back up. You'll see a row of brick blocks. The middle one has a P-Switch that will make two random coin blocks appear temporarily. There are some Red Coins to collect. Over the valley between two hills with Bob-omb cannons is the third Star Coin. It's pretty high up, so you won't see it normally. Bounce off a Bob-omb to reach it. You'll soon reach the flag.

Coin Total: 49,012
I found and completed this level after beating the final boss.

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 2-4

This level takes place mostly on the outside of pyramids. There are Pokeys, Fire Snakes, and Spinies everywhere. Run and slide under a ledge for the first Star Coin. Destroy a brick block and slide under another ledge for a Starman, so you can take out some enemies. There are Red Coins on this pyramid. Go over the pyramid and to the right. Between both pyramids is the midpoint. Carefully make your way to the yellow pipe near the center of the pyramid on the right. You'll see a Gold Ring and a pipe making infinite Goombas. Go a little to the left and walk right on the yellow blocks to drop down. Go right for the second Star Coin. Go up the yellow pipe and go over the top of the pyramid. You should see a long drop to the right. Go over the drop and go down to reach the third Star Coin. The large drop will lead to a yellow pipe to the goal.

Coin Total: 39,178
I had difficulty finding the second Star Coin and came back for it.

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 2-Ghost House

This is a tricky Ghost House. There are Boos, as always, and some of the item blocks will move if you try to hit them or go near them. Go below the door for some coins. Go through the door and down the stairs, and a giant, goofy-looking Boo named Boolossus will appear. He behaves like other Boos: following you when your back is turned and freezing when you face him. However, if you face him for too long, he will inch closer. He is able to squish you. This makes the level somewhat of an automatic sidescroller. Run up the stairs and jump left for the first Star Coin. The second Star Coin is blocked by the floor, so stand on the floor panel in front of it. It will lower so you can reach it. There are Red Coins over the purple tilting platform. The third Star Coin is floating high in the air. The floor is actually diamond bouncy blocks, so you can reach it easily. Towards the end, you'll come across a door. It leads to fake doors, so stand on the raised floor panel to lower it, revealing the true door to the goal. There are ghosts near the flagpole. This opens the path to 2-4. After a great deal of searching (and giving up and moving on), I found the secret exit. Just after the second Star Coin, go down two levels of platforms. Hug the wall immediately to your left and jump for an invisible block with a vine to a door. This leads to the Red Goal. This opens the path to a Mushroom House and 2-B.

Coin Total: 48,542

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 2-Fort

Time for stone slab platforming. There's a giant Dry Bones at the start. Go up, left, and duck under a ledge for the first Star Coin. You'll reach the midpoint after a while and deal with some spiked stones. Go through the door to enter a room with moving stones. Go up past the door for the second Star Coin. Go through the door. Near the boss door, wall jump up on the stones on the left side and run over the ceiling for the third Star Coin. We go through the boss door and find 4 Reznor to battle. After defeating them, Iggy comes down on a chain, like Roy, and takes Peach to the castle.

Coin Total: 12,794

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 2-A

This level costs 5 Star Coins to access. The totem poles from 2-2 are in the background. We take a platform on a path. The path will end shortly, so be sure to jump. After the second platform on a path, you'll find sturdy platforms with two levels. Take the lower one for a random coin block. The upper path leads two a forked path of platforms. Go left for the first Star Coin. When you come to a stable platform, use a Koopa shell to get the second Star Coin. You'll reach the midpoint and soon encounter some Fuzzies. Take another platform and go left when the path forks. You'll come across a P-Switch that turns blocks into coins, and vice versa. The third Star Coin is over the newly-formed brick blocks. You'll soon reach the flagpole.

Coin Total: 12,615

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 2-3

This level has item blocks encased in rock, so you can't get them. There are lots of Pokeys in the level. Take the yellow pipe down and you'll find more Pokeys, Buzzy Beetles, and quicksand. Platform on the ferris wheels while avoiding Pokeys to reach the midpoint. Hit the POW block with the Buzzy Beetle shell when you come across two yellow pipes to reach the lower pipe and use another Buzzy Beetle shells to take out the Piranhas to the far left for the first Star Coin. Go through the pipe the arrow is pointing to. Take the Buzzy Beetle shell and go left, using it to hit POW blocks, causing a chain reaction that makes the second Star Coin accessible. You'll find a Red Coin Ring surrounded by infinite elevators. From there, jump onto the blocks in the air and they'll take you to the third Star Coin. Otherwise, below, there's a P-Switch that makes Silver Coins. Either way, at the end is a green pipe cannon. Hop up the stone stairs, avoiding Pokeys, and reach the flag.

Coin Total: 11636

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 2-2

We're taking to the skies in this level, which features platform on totem poles high off the ground. There's a Gold Ring to get your coin collecting started. Near the Hammer Bro is the first Star Coin. After the midpoint, you'll find a Red Coin Ring. There's a Boomerang Bro. To the left of the Boomerang Bro, drop down to find a yellow pipe. It will take you to the second Star Coin. Go back up and start climbing up the totem poles. As you ascend, you'll encounter another Hammer Bro, another Boomerang Bro, and a Sumo Bro at the top. The third Star Coin is nearby. Go right for the flag.

Coin Total: 10114

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 2-1

The Koopalings are taking it to the desert. In this level, there are tilting platforms made of brick blocks. They contain one coin each. There are Red Coins that float down on parachutes. When you come across some brick blocks flipping 180 degrees, run up the top ones and jump to get the first Star Coin up in an alcove. You'll soon reach the midpoint. Take the yellow pipe nearby down. There is a lone item block in front of a wall of brick blocks. Get the item, which is a Gold Flower. Fireballs will turn enemies and brick blocks into coins, so get this item when you can. Stomping on enemies will also turn them into coins. Before you go crazy trying to hit every last brick block in the area, move ahead and hop up to the ledge with the second Star Coin. You can't reach it if all the brick blocks are turned into coins. Use the fireballs to clear a path to the coin, then destroy all brick blocks at your leisure. The brick block on the floor at the very end has the potential to become a Gold Block, so don't miss out. Go through the yellow pipe. The brick blocks to your right hold a 1-up, so destroy blocks carefully, (although I doubt you're in dire need of lives). The third Star Coin is a little to the left. Use the music note blocks to reach the tilting platform. Continue to the right, taking out Piranha Plants. Don't be afraid of hitting the tilting platforms with fireballs; they won't disappear. Once you reach the flagpole, you'll get coins based on your position if you're still golden, and Golden Mario will turn into Fire Mario. Darn, we lose a really cool powerup.

Coin Total: 9736

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 1-Castle

In this castle, there are pillars rising out of the lava that are topped with spikes. To get around them, hang from the tightrope above. Drop down from the second tightrope when the pillar without spikes is visible for the first Star Coin. Over the item blocks near the Dry Bones are some invisible blocks. Go up and to the left for a Raccoon Leaf. Get a running start and fly, following the trail of coins for the second Star Coin. Slowly descend to the midpoint. Swing from the rope for coins and to cross the lava. There are Thwomps in the area, so be careful. Let the giant Thwomp break the stones below to access the third Star Coin. Fly up above it for lots of coins. Just to the right is the boss door. Roy Koopa Jr. appears. He'll charge you, despite carrying a wand, and the walls will slowly close in. Stomp him to send him into a shell cycle, where you must avoid him. He'll come out of the shell cycle after bouncing off the walls about three times and you can stomp him again. Hit him three times to defeat him. The key will appear, so get it. The right wall will rise up, revealing Iggy Koopa and Peach. Iggy slaps himself and takes Peach to the Fort of World 2.

Coin Total: 9148
We get a message saying "Coin Rush is now available from the Main Menu!" We save and continue to World 2. We'll deal with the cannon later.

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 1-A

We need 5 Star Coins to unlock this level. On the bright side, we get a free save. This is mainly a pipe area. Kick the Koopa shell into the gap to get an item when it bounces off the brick block. Pound the bricks over the one-way arrow door and go down, and you find the first Star Coin over the brick blocks at the bottom. Go right and take the green pipe cannon to the midpoint. For extra coins, go back left and hit an invisible block next to the pipe on the right. This will allow you to hop over the pipe on the left and collect coins on the way down. Walk over to the one-way door to the right and drop down. You'll find two Gold Rings over some Koopas. Activate the first Gold Ring and throw the Koopa shell to the right. Be sure to get the coins coming out of the pipe where the Piranha Plant was. A little farther right is another Koopa and Gold Ring. Send the gold Koopa shell into the stacked Goombas. The brick block under the pipe has the potential to become a Gold Block, so let the Koopa shell hit it. Stand on the pipe directly over the Gold Block to collect the coins that will come out of it. Then pound the brick block above you to turn it into a Gold Block that you can wear. Go right for a pipe cannon up. Go left and kill the giant Piranha Plant, then drop down to where it was to make coins appear above. More coins will appear if you drop down to where the Koopa is. Go back right and kill the Piranhas. Drop down the one-way door and let it close. Then go right for the second Star Coin. Drop down to the ground where you'll find two Piranhas. Go down the pipe, where you'll find a Gold Ring, a Koopa, and some Piranhas. Activate the Gold Ring and kill the Piranhas with the shell to make lots of coins appear from the pipes. Go through the pipe and you'll come out from a pipe stair case. You're near the flag. The third Star Coin is pretty tricky to find. At the top of the staircase, you'll find four pipes floating in the air with Piranhas. Drop down near the one on the left and hit the invisible block under the opening to the pipe to the left of it. Enter that pipe and kill the giant Piranha. (There's a Koopa there, if you need it.) Behind the Piranha is the third Star Coin. Go back through the same pipe, then go to the flag.

Coin Total: 38,876
I didn't play through this level THAT many times. I moved on after trying to find the third Star Coin and came back and found it before I beat the game, and the above total is when I came back. When I gave up, my total was 8871. There are a lot of coins in this level, especially if you start the level with a Gold Block.

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 1-5

A Gold Block appeared on the map. We're going underwater this time. Near the blue Cheep-Cheep and some bricks lining a gap below is the first Star Coin. There's a random coin block so you can try your luck. We take a yellow pipe down by accessing through a ring of Cheep-Cheep from the right side. The second Star Coin is down in a strong current, so swim up quickly once you get it. Take the green pipe up and you'll be right next to the midpoint. There's a random item block. Swim up through a tiny gap in the ceiling past the rings of Cheep-Cheep for the third Star Coin. There's a giant Cheep-Cheep near a P-Switch that makes Silver Coins. Avoid it. Nearby is the pipe to the flagpole.

Coin Total: 2779

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 1-4

It's a mushroom platforming level! The first Star Coin is over the yellow mushroom near the Gold Ring. The Gold Ring will turn enemies golden temporarily, allowing you to get coins for defeating them. If you defeat them in series, such as by combo-stomping or using a Koopa shell, you can get up to 50 coins per enemy. Throwing shells will also leave a trail of coins. We take the blue pipe up and find the second Star Coin at the end. We drop back down to the main level near the midpoint. There's a Red Coin Ring nearby, with the last Red Coin appearing with a parachute. There are some invisible blocks near some regular blocks. The one in the middle has a vine. It takes you to a P-Switch that makes Silver Coins. Hop up for the third Star Coin. We drop back down near the vine. There's another Gold Ring before the flag.

Coin Total: 2461

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 1-Fort

Our first Fort of the game. There are some new enemies here wearing skulls. They're otherwise like other enemies. We get a Raccoon Leaf and use a snake platform to get up. There are snake platforms near many platforms. There is a hidden 1-up under the Red Coin Ring. Go to the left for the first Star Coin. Avoid being crushed by the snake platform below it. Above is the midpoint and a door. You'll find snake platforms moving into a gap to the right. Go into that gap to find a yellow pipe. It will take you outside to a snake platform staircase and the Red Goal. This opens path to World 1's cannon. If you do not go to the Red Goal, there are snake platforms over the door. They allow you to reach a red pipe on the left. There's a P-Switch in the room that makes Silver Coins appear within the snake platforms. The Silver Coins are only a distraction, however. Once you hit the P-Switch, quickly go to the platform above the snake platforms. Here, you'll find brick blocks that allow you to reach the second Star Coin. You must collect the Star Coin before the timer runs out, as it will disappear. It's a tricky one to find. Keep climbing and you'll find the third Star Coin surrounded by a snakeplatform and guarded by a skulled Piranha Plant. Approach with caution. Take the snake platform above to the boss door. This game's Mini Boss is Reznor, first seen in Super Mario World. It's standing on item blocks in a ferris-wheel configuration. All you have to door is hit the block underneath it. Do this quickly, as it will make the floor disappear. Hop on the blocks if necessary. This Fort has two. After you take out both of them, Roy will drop in from a chain, roar, and leave. He'll take Peach to the castle.

Coin Total: 2194

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 1-3

After leaving a level some number of times, either by death or completion, a Gold Block will appear on the world map and follow you around. This means that when you enter a level, there will be a Gold Block floating around near the start or midpoint. Collect for extra coins. In this level, we get the Raccoon Leaf, which give us the Raccoon Tail, allowing us to fly and hit ground level blocks. You'll find several snake platforms near the ground in the gaps. As Raccoon Mario, fly up near the arrow pointed to the upper right for the first Star Coin. Fly up to all of the tree tops for lots of coins. There is also a random coin block up there. Go back to the ground for the midpoint. On top of one of the trees is a pipe cannon to Coin Heaven. Fly for coins and the second Star Coin. Drop back down to the main level and you'll find a Red Coin Ring and the third Star Coin. Use shells or your tail to break through the brick blocks. The Red Coins drift down to the ground with Parachutes. After that is a random coin block and the flagpole.

Coin Total: 1138
We get a message saying we've collected 1,000 coins.

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 1-2

This level has a lot of POW blocks. You'll use it to access the pipe. Before you do that, take a Koopa shell and use it to hit the POW on the left for some coins. Go up the ledge to make more coins appear. In some levels, if you go to certain areas, coins will magically appear. Now we take the pipe underground. The two POWs can be used to get an item and lots of coins. Use shells to hit the POW blocks so you can get the first Star Coin. Go down the yellow pipe. Hit the P-Switch and run to get the second Star Coin. Once you get back to the main level, you'll find the infinite rising and lowering platforms. Activate another POW block to reach a black pipe with a fire sign in front of it. If you don't have a Fire Flower, one will be available after the midpoint. Once you have one, shoot as many fireballs as quickly as possible into the pipe. Lots of coins will come out the other side of the pipe, as well as a Mega Mushroom. Get it and run. You'll be able to get the third Star Coin encased in stone. Go up the blue pipe and hit the POW for the stairs.

Coin Total: 940
The game will give you a message every time you reach a coin benchmark. This time we get the message: "You've collected 500 coins! The reason my total is so high is because coins are added to your total when you exit the level because you reached the flagpole or you died. They are not added to the total if you decide to exit the level.

New Super Mario Bros. 2: 1-1

It's time to get some coins! We get a Super Shroom in an item block, as well as some coins. The first Star Coin is over some music note blocks. Go past the three stacked Goombas and a Koopa and you'll find a lone brick block. Hit it repeatedly or pound it for a while for lots of coins. If you trigger it enough times, it will become a Gold Block and go on Mario's head. The faster you move, the more coins you get. It acts like an extra powerup, so if you run into an enemy, it falls off and you take no damage. If you keep it on until it falls off on its own, you'll get applause. The second Star Coin is encased in brick blocks, so you'll need to be super to reach it. There is a brick block level with the ground. If you pound it, you'll get lots of coins and a gold block, as well as drop into a new area underground. Sliding increases the number of coins you'll get from a Gold Block. Here, you'll find a new kind of block: the random coin block. Like the random item blocks, it will cycle through a number of different coin values. The number that you hit will make that many coins appear: 5, 10, 30, 50. The larger increments will come out as 10-coin coins. You get applause if you hit 50. Go up the pipe at the end and go left for a pipe cannon to Coin Heaven. There's a line of coins and a P-Switch that makes Silver Coins (which look more blue than silver). The third Star Coin is at the end. The stairs at the end are rainbow-colored. Pound the stack of eight Goombas for a 1-up. The flagpole is nearby.
Coin Total: 492

New Super Mario Bros. 2: Get Rich or Save the Princess Trying

Intro
Raccoon Mario and Kitsune Luigi are on the roof of Peach's castle. They wave goodbye to the Princess and fly off collecting coins. They drop to the ground and the Koopalings drop in on both of them in the Clown Copter. Roy Koopa Jr. has Peach. She calls out to both of them before the Clown Copter flies away. The Mario Bros. run after them. Roy takes Peach to the Fort of World 1.

This is the latest Mario game with a new twist: collecting as many coins as possible. This leads to an abundance of lives, so getting a Game Over takes some effort. The ultimate goal is to collect one million coins. I will be posting my coin counter for each level in my attempt at this goal. I will also get all of the Star Coins. Let's go!

New Super Mario Bros.: 8-Bowser's Castle

It the final battle! It will take a while to get there. First, we have to platform over the lava and Podoboos to the door. There's an item in one of the blocks, and a ? Switch in another. The ? Switch rotates the room 180 degrees, so you can access the other door in the room. There are several jet engines in this room, as well as doors that you can't reach. Go to the right to the only right-side-up you can reach. It will take you to a room with a giant Thwomp. In one of the item blocks is another ? Switch that rotates the room. The ceiling and floor change to a tan color where the Thwomp will land. Go through the door on the left back into the room with the jet engines. There will be an accessible door up and to the left. Run and duck under the jet engine to reach it. You'll be in a maze with more Thwomps and Dry Bones. The first Star Coin will be up and over to the left. Make your way down the maze. There will be brick blocks over some spikes. One of them has an item. The ? Switch is in a brick block over the stairs. With the room rotated, go up, and go quickly under a Thwomp to reach the door. It will take you back to the room with the engines. Go as far left as you can and hit a brick block for a ? Switch. This one makes a platform appear so you can reach a door to the left. The door takes you to a split room. The low path has the second Star Coin. The top path has the door to the final area before the boss door. This room also has lava. The midpoint is here. In this area, the first part has a chime maze. You'll come across paths that will either buzz or chime when you make it to the end. If you hear a buzz, you'll have to do that area again. The correct paths are the low path, the upper path, then the middle path. Afterwards, you'll find the third Star Coin blocked by brick blocks. Break the brick blocks as Super Mario. Get on the next platform, then run to the left and duck to get it. The boss door is nearby. We see Bowser Jr. next to Bowser's bones and a giant cauldron. Peach is high above on a platform. Bowser Jr. throws the bones into the cauldron and it explodes, revealing a flesh-and-blood Bowser. We have to battle them both.Jr. is wearing his mask for this battle. I recommend having two Fire Flowers or reaching the switch as soon as possible. Once you defeat them, Peach floats down, says "Thank you!" and kisses Mario's ear.
The credits roll, showing us pictures of levels we've completed. After that, we see Bowser Jr dragging  his father. He squawks at us. We save our game and see a new background, which says "Select a File: [L] + [R] + (A)= Luigi's silhouette. While on the file select screen, if you hold [L], [R] and select the file with (A), you'll hear Luigi and be able to play as him.
That's all for this game! I had a great time playing it and we'll dive into Mario's latest adventure next!

New Super Mario Bros.: 8-Fort 2

This Fort has snake platforms. It will take us past fire bars and spikes. At one point, there will be spikes on the ceiling and floor. Once you leave that area, quickly move to the very front of the platform, as it is going to rise up. You'll go through another area with spiked ceiling and floor. The first Star Coin will be in an alcove here. The midpoint is at the stone ledge on the left side. A small spike ball will appear and start rolling on the platform until it doubles back. There are Red Coins to get in this area. The platform will rise up to an area with fire bars. The second Star Coin will be nearby. When the platform comes out on the right side, hop back on, but be aware that another small spike ball is heading your way. Jump over it and get the third Star Coin. The platform will soon go straight up, so stay at the very front. It will take you to boss door. Bowser Jr. is wearing his mask and this battle takes place on a small platform in the lava. Defeat him and a bridge to Bowser's Castle appears. He takes Peach there.

New Super Mario Bros.: 8-8

In this level, we're outside the volcano and it's erupting. There are chunks of volcanic rock raining down, destroying all types of blocks, and setting off little blue and green enemies, who'll run after you and explode. The first Star Coin is near the start, so quickly go right to hop on the stones leading to it, before the volcanic rock makes it inaccessible. As Mini Mario, let the volcanic rock break through the stones over the mini pipe and take it to the second Star Coin. As Super Mario, breack the brick blocks surrounding the third Star Coin. After that, it's a long run on a stone path. Be quick and careful, as your path is quickly disappearing. The path leads directly to the flag.

New Super Mario Bros.: 8-7

There are lots of Parakoopas in this level. When you reach a really tall wall you can't get over, hit the invisible block just to the left of it so you can scale the wall. Use a shell to take out the Sumo Bro,  the run under the platform for the first Star Coin, without running off the edge. Jump back up so you don't have to worry about falling. You'll come across some rock with thin ledges before the midpoint. Soon after are two Fire Bros. Be careful about approaching them from below. In one of the blocks in their area is a Starman, so that may help if you can reach it. Use it to take out Koopas in your path. The second Star Coin over a Boomerang Bro on rising platforms. Past the platforms is another Sumo Bro. He's standing on some brick blocks over the third Star Coin, so let him pound them. Take him out after he pounds the first row and get the Star Coin safely. There's another Boomerang Bro, as well as some Red Coins before the cannon to the flagpole.

New Super Mario Bros.: 8-6

This time, we're in the volcano, and the magma's rising. This level wraps around like 7-2, which you'll need to take advantage of to progress. Go around to the left to reach a pipe cannon to a set of stairs. Quickly go up, over, and down for the first Star Coin. Take the spin spring up, then pound the bricks to the left as Super Mario to reach the 2nd Star Coin. Keep going up and you'll find Spinies walking on platforms from the original Mario Bros. game. You can bump the Spinies from below, but you can't jump through the platforms. Go to the right side for the third Star Coin, then wrap back around. Take the pipe cannon into the center out of the volcano. You won't fall back in, so don't worry. Just go to the flag. The magma's not following you.

New Super Mario Bros.: 8-5

The scenery changes from a dark world to a volcano. We're inside the volcano at the base. There's magma below. We have to platform from dangling metal platforms and rocks that will fall into the magma soon after we step on them. Jump down and quickly go up the tilting rocks for the first Star Coin. The second Star Coin is floating over the magma near two dangling metal platforms with Koopas on them. Use a shell to get the Star Coin while the metal platform is tilted. At the end, there are several tilting rocks. Move quickly and jump high to reach the third Star Coin. The pipe to the flag is just to the right.

New Super Mario Bros.: 8-Castle

This level can be a little tricky if you want to get all of the Star Coins. The red blocks will make platforms on paths appear and disappear. They will allow to cross the lava. At first, you'll see the first Star Coin over a pathway without a platform. The red block where you are will not make the platform you need appear, so go to the next area, with an item block and another red block. This red block will make the platform to the first Star Coin appear. Going forward, make the high platform and drop with it to the second Star Coin. Afterwards, you'll reach the midpoint. At this point, it will be difficult to get the third Star Coin if you die. Make sure you're on the lower platform when you reach the rope. Swing from the rope to the red rotating shapes in the lava. There are two paths from here to the boss door. Because of the way you set it up before the midpoint, you will have access to the lower platform, which will go under the boss door so you can reach the third Star Coin. If you have to restart the level from the midpoint, this platform will not be there. Take the rope to the boss door. Here, Dry Bowser assembles. He throws bones and breathes fire. The best way to beat him is to hit the switch behind him. He falls and you are victorious. This opens a bridge to the next area of World 8. Bowser Jr. takes Peach to the next Fort. Let's keep going!

New Super Mario Bros.: 8-4

Spiders are all over this level. A few of them will drop in every few seconds. The first Star Coin is on a high ledge. Either bounce off of a spider or run and jump to get it. There are rising stone platforms past the midpoint. The second Star Coin is over one of them. There's a Starman in one of the blocks so you can plow through the spiders. Low in the level are several stone platforms moving left and right. If you're Mini Mario, take the mini pipe below for the third Star Coin. The flag is nearby.

New Super Mario Bros.: 8-3

A pipe takes us underwater where large yellow bubbles bounce us around. Swim up to find Unagi swimming around or hanging out in rocks. There are some Red Coins partway up and at the top, you'll reach the midpoint. Here, you'll be chased by a giant Unagi. Do not stop swimming. If you do, the Unagi will drop down on you or rise up to damage you. It is completely invincible. All the Starman can do is prevent you from taking damage. The pipes have currents to push you along to the right. At the end of a long chain of blocks is a Starman. The P-Switch makes Silver Coins. Stay low to reach the first Star Coin. Be Super Mario to take out the bricks guarding the second Star Coin at the top. There are more Red Coins. Stay low over a green pipe with a current to reach the third Star Coin. At the end are two pipes: red and green. Take either to the flagpole.

New Super Mario Bros.: 8-Fort

This Fort has more platforming using sliding stone slabs while avoiding spikes. The first Star Coin is on the left side. Duck and let the stone slab push you under a gap. Go up and avoid the Spike Tops. The second Star Coin is on the left side. Keep climbing and you'll reach the midpoint and, eventually, the boss door. Before you go through the boss door, hit the flying item block, preferably in the middle of the room. Jump on it and hit the invisible block above, then jump off that block to reach the third Star Coin. Through the boss door, we find Bowser Jr. with his mask on, on moving stone platforms over jet engines. Use fireballs or the shell he throws for victory. He takes off with Peach to the castle.

New Super Mario Bros.: 8-2

It's an underwater level. There are water striders that will drop bombs on you, as well as make reaching the surface difficult. The ? Switches will raise the water level temporarily. There's a pipe at the top. It will take you to another room filled with water with striders and barrels. The ? Switch is on the left side. You'll be able to reach a mini pipe or a pipe overhead. The mini pipe leads to the first Star Coin. The regular pipe takes you to a room filled with brick blocks. Get the item in the item block if you need it, then pound the bricks. Stay towards the middle right to get the second Star Coin. There's a pipe in the water below. This area has a couple of striders and stack blocks. Use the ? Switch on the low ceiling to raise the water level and the stack blocks to block the striders off in one area. The right side at the top has the third Star Coin. The left side has a pipe to the flagpole.

New Super Mario Bros.: 8-1

It's the last world! This part of the world is dark and spooky. The enemies in this level are mainly Bullet Bills, pumpkins, and crows. One of the item blocks will give you a spring. Place the spring on the stones to the right and bounce off the screen to go off screen, where the first Star Coin is. You have to line up the spring because there is nothing else out there. Farther into the level, you'll encounter a few Boos. The second Star Coin is high and two the left of two Bill Blasters, on different levels. Bounce off of a Bullet Bill to reach. The third Star Coin is low in a gap, so drop down to get it and wall jump quickly to safety. Bounce off the Banzai Bill and you'll soon reach the flagpole.

New Super Mario Bros.: 7-Castle

This level involves riding around on snake platforms. The platform will snake around the level and double back on itself, so pay attention. At first, you'll have to dodge the Amps in the area. The first Star Coin is past two of them. After a while, the platform will take you past some Thwomps. Trigger them to fall early so they won't fall on you. The platform stops at a lone stone platform, which is the midpoint. Get off the snaking platform before it falls. There's another snake platform waiting for you. This one will initially take you through an area with spike balls on chains. The second Star Coin is above the anchor point for a ball and chain. Take the platform past it, then drop down onto the Star Coin and the anchor point, then get back on before the platform goes over you. It will then take you to an area with periodically firing jet engines. It will stall in front of the boss door, so let it start to drop, then run and jump to get the third Star Coin before you fall with it. The door will take you outside, where you'll have to climb platforms up to the roof. The boss here is Lakithunder, a Lakitu with bat wings on a gray storm cloud. He throws Spinies, sends down bolts of lightning, and swoops down periodically. When he swoops down, stomp him. Stomp him three times for the key. Bowser Jr. will take Peach to World 8 if you haven't defeated the boss of World 6.

New Super Mario Bros.: 7-A

Oddly enough, this is a pipeworks world. The pipe takes you into an area where almost all of the platforms are pipes. Some of the pipes make small white "Wigglers" appear. They can crawl over all surfaces. There are invisible blocks to the right of the magenta platform, which allow you to go through the pipe leading to the first Star Coin. Go into the pipe cannon on the right side, then wall jump up to the pipe to reach the second Star Coin. Once you come back through that pipe, go up a pipe a white Wiggler came out of, then up the middle pipe over the teal platform. There are invisible blocks that will prevent you from going up a gap, so go to the right, then wall jump up the pipe to stand on top of it. There is a Piranha in this pipe, so be careful. Hop up the pipes going left, and go up the pipe in the corner. Go right and get a Mini Mushroom from an item block on the right, then go back left and wall jump up to reach a mini pipe next to a pipe with a Piranha Plant. This will lead to an area with coins and the third Star Coin. Leave that area and avoid Piranha Plants to reach a pipe on the right wall. Hit the stack blocks so you can go through it. This leads to the flag opens a path to the castle.

New Super Mario Bros.: 7-7

This is an automatic sidescroller. Making life more interesting are the numerous donut lifts. The first Star Coin is near a ferris wheel platform. There are platforms moving left and right, and will pass past walls, so you might fall off. Jump over the wall to avoid falling. Soon, the level will start moving up. Here, you'll find a set of Red Coins. Past them is the second Star Coin, under some donut lifts. Let them drop down to get it, then quickly wall jump back up. Next is a pyramid of donut lifts. Be careful about jumping up off screen, as Koopas are walking around here. The third Star Coin is a little to the left, so jump up to reach it carefully. The level will start moving to the right after the pyramid. Koopas are on some of the platforms, so be careful. There is an item block between the pipes if you need some extra health. Take the ferris wheel platform to the flag. The path to the castle will open up.

New Super Mario Bros.: 7-6

Time for more mushroom platforming. You'll be dealing with mostly Koopas and Piranhas here. After the midpoint, you'll find two rows of brick blocks. Clear out the middle ones on the top row first, then hit the middle ones of the lower row, one which has a vine. Take it up to Coin Heaven, where there is a tilting mushroom to convey you to the first Star Coin. Take the red pipe up to reach the red goal to 7-7. If you bypass the vine, the second Star Coin will be nearby. There are two Parakoopas here, so you can defeat them and use the shell to get it. Go down the yellow pipe and hope over the three Parakoopas to reach the red pipe to the third Star Coin. There will be lots of Parakoopas over here. Go up and over and reach the regular goal to 7-4.

New Super Mario Bros.: 7-5

The main enemies you'll have to deal with here are Bob-ombs and Bullet Bills. The first Star Coin is overhead, blocked by bricks. Break some bricks as Super Mario or hit the Bob-omb to break some bricks, then bounce off of a Bullet Bill to reach it. If you're Mini Mario, use a Bob-omb to break a stone block over a mini pipe. Take it down to a room with Micro Goombas. The second Star Coin is blocked by a pipe. The item block contains a Mega Mushroom, so get it and use it to push back the pipe and get the Star Coin. You can't leave until the power wears off, so take out the Micro Goombas, then pound the ground to make Goombas appear from the ceiling. Take the pipe back up and you'll reach the midpoint near a few Bill Blasters and item blocks. Go past some more Bill Blasters and blocks and you'll find the third Star Coin between two Bill Blasters. At the end is a Banzai Blaster in front of the regular goal. This takes you to 7-6. Just in front of the Banzai Blaster is a pipe covered with stones. You'll need two Bob-ombs to break through them. Place them where the stones form corners. The pipe will take you to an underground area with coins, then you'll go up another pipe to thre red goal to 7-A.

New Super Mario Bros.: 7-4

This level has lots of mushroom platforms and spin springs. The pink bouncy mushrooms are also here. The first Star Coin is low to the ground on the far right side. The second Star Coin is more towards the middle of the level, higher up, over a red mushroom. The third Star Coin is past the Red Coins. Bounce off the highest pink mushroom on the left side while spinning to get it. Toward the top of the level to the right is a pipe. This will take you to an area with a spin spring and lots of brick blocks. Spring to the top of them and pound them. The block underneath will have a vine in it to the red pipe above. This will take you to Coin Heaven, where there's a P-Switch that makes Silver Coins. You'll end up at the regular goal, which takes you to 7-5. If you're Mini Mario, go up the left side of the level, where you'll find a flying item block. Jump off it and go over to the left to a mini pipe, which leads to the Red Goal and opens a path straight to the castle.

New Super Mario Bros.: 7-Fort

This fort has moving spike walls to make the level interesting. Take the red pipe up, climb up, then drop down to the right to the get the first Star Coin. To avoid spikes, duck while jumping up the spiked stones. There will be a stone moving left to right. Go into the alcove above while it's moving, then drop down between the spikes so it will take you to the other side. There are retracting stairs with spikes which lead to a door to the midpoint. The door will take to the next area. Here, you'll have to dodge moving spikes and crushing stones. Hop over the vertically-moving stones, to reach the second Star Coin. There are four moving spiked stones above. They will either move into the formation of a diamond or square. Move when they're a square to avoid being crushed. Just above, a series of stones will move into place to block you from reaching the boss door and third Star Coin. Move quickly and get out of the way, or into the boss door to avoid being crushed. Bowser Jr.'s wearing his mask and the battle takes place on a moving stone slab. Use either the shell he throws or fireballs to take him out. He'll run off with Peach to the castle after you defeat him.

New Super Mario Bros.: 7-3

This level starts off on a grassy plain with a couple of Wigglers wandering around. Pick up and item and head down the green pipe on the right. This will lead to a new area, where a giant Wiggler is the level. He'll be taking you to the pipe at the end. I recommend standing near the middle of the Wiggler. He'll periodically hop so you can reach higher places. There's some Red Coins to get, as well as platforms to hop on. Soon, you'll come across an overhead pipe that spews an infinite amount of Goombas. The first Star Coin is over a Boomerang Bro. The next item block you come across will be a Starman. This is no ordinary Starman: this will make a trail of Silver Coins wherever you go. All other item blocks will also contain Starman as long as you're invincible when you hit the block, allowing you to have a ton of fun. The second Star Coin is over a high platform. Eventually, you'll reach the pipe at the end, which is guarded by another Boomerang Bro. Don't try to follow the Wigger offscreen. There will be stairs made of bricks down to the flag. Before you go to the flagpole, pound the top brick to send a vine down, break the lower brick blocks, walk under the stairs, and drop down the gap. The third Star Coin is in an alcove to the right. Use the vine to reach it, then go to the goal.

New Super Mario Bros.: 7-2

This is a narrow level that wraps around, so if you go off screen to the left, you'll appear on the right. Go up the pipe and get on a platform with three arrows. Stand either on the left or right sides to make the platform go in that direction as it continually ascends. To make life interesting, you'll have to contend with Parakoopas, who will walk on the platform if you stomp them once. There are narrow gaps throughout the level, and after the first one, you'll find the first Star Coin encased in brick. Break the bricks to get it. There are some Red Coins to collect before the midpoint. You'll want to stay to the right until the stairs appear, then move towards the center. Use a Koopa shell at the top of the stairs to reach the second Star Coin, so you can keep going. Towards the top, you'll find Parakoopas flanking the center of the level. The third Star Coin is over on the left side, so be careful as you try to get it. Take the pipe at the top to the goal.

New Super Mario Bros.: 7- Ghost House

This Ghost House is a bit of a maze, so keep track of where you're going. The orange ? Switch makes five doors permanently appear. The lower left door leads to a room with coins and Boos and a ? Switch that makes a door appear. This takes you back to the room with five doors. The upper left door leads to a room with a undulating gelatinous floor with some pumpkins and the first Star Coin. You'll return back to the first room. The top door leads to a room with a gelatinous floor. Pound the floor repeatedly on the left side of the room to reach the second Star Coin trapped in the floor. Pound the floor on the right side to hit a ? Switch to make a door to the first room appear. The upper right door leads to a confusing room where you'll see some gloved hands floating near the ceiling. They're pointing to a moving invisible block, so hit it for a ? Switch to make a door to the first room. The lower right door leads to the third Star Coin and both goals. There are hands pointing to another invisible block here. The ? Switch in it makes a couple of platforms appear, which lead to a door high up. The door takes you to a room with coins and a P-Switch. Hit the P-Switch to turn the coins into brick blocks. If you run to the right, run quickly, avoiding Boos and hop up the brick blocks over to the high floor. If you make it in time, run over to the right for the third Star Coin. Eitherway, keep going right on the lower level to reach a door to the regular goal, which leads to 7-2. If, at the P-Switch, you decide to go to the left, you'll run a short way before coming across a single brick block that shimmers while the others do not. This block has a vine that takes you to a door to the red goal. It will open the path to 7-Fort.

Wii U Announcement Event

Today's the day Nintendo finally releases the information it has yet to give us: the release date and price of the Wii U. It will be available in two different colors and packages: a basic package of a white console with 8 GB of memory at $299.99 (US dollars) and a deluxe package of a black console with 32 GB of memory, and more accessories.

A new feature announced in Nintendo TVii. It's a way to search for TV shows and movies using the Gamepad. It also works with On Demand services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Instant Video and will connect to your DVR. Each member of the family can save favorites under their Mii.

The game lineup includes ZombiU, Tekken Tag Tournament 2 Wii U Edition, Call of Duty Black Ops II, FIFA Soccer 13, Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two, Nintendo Land, Rayman Legends, Skylanders Giants, SiNG Party, Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed,  New Super Mario Bros. U, Just Dance 4, Toki Tori 2, Wii Fit U, Scribblenauts Unlimited, Runner2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien, Game & Wario, Trine 2: Director's Cut, The Wonderful 101, Nano Assault Neo, Madden NFL 13, LEGO City: Undercover, NBA 2K13, Pikmin 3, Batman: Arkham City Armored Edition, Mass Effect 3, Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor's Edge, Darksiders II, Bayonetta 2, Tank! Tank! Tank!, Aliens: Colonial Marines, Warriors Orochi 3 Hyper, Marvel Avengers: Battle for Earth, Rabbids Land, ESPN Sports Connection, Your Shape: Fitness Evolved 2013 Game Party Champions, Transformers Prime, and Assassin's Creed III. 

That's a long list of games. It looks like there's something for everybody on the Wii U. I can honestly say I never expected to see Bayonetta 2 on the list.

New Super Mario Bros.: 7-1

World 7 is a cloud world. In this level, we'll find platforms on paths. Take the first platform to the right, then transfer to the higher platform. The platform will fall off its track and drop to the lower one so you can get the 1st Star Coin. It will go to the end of the line at the left and go back right, then fall into the void. Jump to the clouds to before it falls off. Here, you'll need to move quickly to get on the flying item block. Get on it before you reach the winding path of the platforms and don't hit it. It will take you over the void to a pipe. The pipe takes you to an area where you'll find lots of coins and ropes on gears. The ropes on gears will take you to the 2nd Star Coin and a green pipe back to the main level. There are more platforms on paths, but this time you'll have to contend with a respawning Fire Chomp. Fire Chomps have a tail of fire which represents how many flames they can shoot at you. If you don't stomp it before the tail runs out, it will explode. There are Red Coins in the area. Transfer to another platform which takes you to the pipe to the flag. To reach the 3rd Star Coin, take the platforms instead of taking a ride on the flying item block. Go up the pipe at the end of the path, then take the higher path to the 3rd Star Coin.

New Super Mario Bros.: 6-Castle

It's time to finish this level! We have to platform onto moving stone slab platforms over the lava. Time your jumps carefully. The 1st Star Coin is just over the lava, so use a Koopa shel to reach it, after the stone platform moves out of the way. There are also stone platforms bobbing in the lava. The 2nd Star Coin is over the lava as well, but a small stone platform will come out of the lava briefly so you can get it. You'll reach the midpoint and be able to go over the ceiling. Keep going to the right while over the ceiling to reach the 3rd Star Coin. Go under the ceiling, avoiding the spikes and being crushed. Take the door at the end and climb up the moving stones. This requires good timing, but you are not in any danger. At the top is the boss door, which leads outside. There's a Monty Mole in a tank. The tank will periodically spin and fire Bullet Bills. Every once in a while the Monty Mole will peek his head out of the tank, sometimes to throw a Bob-omb. This is when you should stomp him. Doing so will make the tank spin and the tank will gain a new turret, so it is taller and has another Bill Blaster. Wait for the Monty Mole to appear again and stomp him. This will create another turret, which is more difficult to reach. You must do a running jump to reach the top to stomp him, so be vigilant and quick. Standing on the turret won't help much as you'll slide off the tank if it starts spinning. After the final hit, the tank explodes, Mario gets the key, and Bowser Jr. takes Peach to World 8. We'll be going to World 7 first.

New Super Mario Bros.: 6-6

This can be a very tricky level. There are spin springs and Chomps attached to posts. We can ground pound the posts to free the Chomps. You might get the Star Coins out of order. The 2nd Star Coin is at the top of the level, over a Chomp's post. If you go left and down, and pound a stack of brick blocks on the way, you'll find a P-Switch. It will turn brick blocks into coins so you can reach the 1st Star Coin. Return to the top of the level and go down to the right while spinning to collect the Red Coins. Getting the 3rd Star Coin is very tricky and you may only have one shot at this per attempt at the level. Clear all of the brick blocks in the channel over the spin spring, then spring off of it. While spinning down and to the right, bounce off of a Parakoopa and hit the P-Switch above it. This will turn the brick blocks blocking the green pipe to the right into coins. While spinning and slowly descending, bounce off the red Koopa beneath the green pipe and go through the green pipe before the timer runs out. This will take you to the 3rd Star Coin. Afterwards, you'll use several cannons to make your way up. At the top will be a large set of cannons. The second cannon from the right will take you to the flag.

New Super Mario Bros.: 6-B

This is an ice level. The pipe to the right is actually a cannon. Once up on the ice, you'll see ropes attached to gears on a path. You'll be using these ropes to cross gaps, so be sure to time your jumps if the ropes are moving. The 1st Star Coin is in the gap, so use a Koopa shell to reach it. As you keep going, you'll see a tilting purple mushroom and another pipe cannon. Use it to reach a higher level of ice, where you can bounce off a Parakoopa to get the 2nd Star Coin. After this is the midpoint and Piranha Plants, including a giant one. There are three pipe cannons to the left of a large floating piece of ice. The left cannon will shoot you under the ice for coins. The middle one will shoot you up high, but short of the ice. The right one will shoot you onto the ice and you'll slide down. Towards the end of the level, there will be a gap where you'll have to transfer ropes. On the last one, swing to build up some momentum, let go and duck under the wall so you can reach the 3rd Star Coin. The blocks next to it will break automatically. At the end, there are pipe cannons to the flag.

New Super Mario Bros.: 6-5

A pipe takes us to an underwater level. The green Cheep-Cheep will chase you, so swim quickly or take them out with fireballs. The first Star Coin is near the ceiling. Shortly after is a Red Coin Ring. You'll find a vortex or two in this level. They'll be periodic, so they'll disappear after a short while. Use this time to swim past them and up a yellow pipe between two of them. The 2nd Star Coin is here. Once you return to the main level, you'll reach the midpoint. Nearby is an item block shrouded in seaweed. It has a Starman to make your life easier. Towards the end of the level is a vortex with brick blocks at its base. Go down it to reach the 3rd Star Coin. The pipe will leave you near the end pipe and a giant green Cheep-Cheep. Take the pipe to the flag immediately.

New Super Mario Bros.: 6-Fort 2

This fort is filled will conveyor belts, many of which will send you into the spiked walls. The 1st Star Coin is over a conveyor belt to some spikes, which is to the right of two sets of spikes coming from the floor. Keep climbing and you'll reach the midpoint. There are some green pipes on the floor, which act as cannons. The left one will get you some coins. The right one will allow you to progress. You'll need to be at least Super Mario to break the bricks to the 2nd Star Coin. As you climb, you'll find a rope stretched across a gap. Use it to reach the 3rd Star Coin. The green pipe near the top of the fort is a cannon to the boss door. Bowser Jr.'s on the same kind of platform as in the last fort, but this time, he's wearing the mask. This means that you can't stomp him initially, as he'll immediately hide in his shell. He'll throw a Koopa shell at you, which you should stomp, then throw back at him. He'll flip on his back and you can stomp him then. Do this three times for victory. Fireballs work as well and are a much better way to battle him. He'll take Peach to the castle.

New Super Mario Bros.: 6-4

This is another rock level. There are firebars located through out the level, especially in areas where you have to sidle on thin ledges. Wall jump past the first firebar for the 1st Star Coin. We then sidle past more firebars, including a large one. Hang from the ledges to avoid taking damage. The ! Switch makes blocks appear so we can wall jump up. You'll reach the midpoint. From there, jump to the left for the 2nd Star Coin. Go to the right and take a pipe to the next area. You'll have to sidle as well as time your jumps to platforms, as you won't be able to jump as high. In this area, take the platforms up to the green pipe and go to the right for the 3rd Star Coin. Take the yellow pipe, then the green to the flagpole.

New Super Mario Bros.: 6-3

This level takes us back to the jungle. Some of the item blocks are red now, have spikes, and rotate. Hit them when the spikes are pointed away. Fire Piranhas are also here. After the first set of pipes, there's an item block dangling from a string that's bouncing under the 1st Star Coin. Hit the item block, then jump off it to get the 1st Star Coin. Go down the red pipe to find a log that spins in purple water. It will dump you into the purple water if you stand on it too long, so keep jumping and moving. There are some Red Coins down here. Go up the pipe to the right, avoid the Piranha Plants and go down the second green pipe from the red pipe for the 2nd Star Coin. Come back up the same pipe and go down the last green pipe in the area. Go up the green pipe at the end of that area, which has some coins. You'll soon reach the midpoint. There's a lone coin on the ground, which turns out to be a Moneybag. Chase it down for coins, if you like. Towards the end, go up, over, and left to get the 3rd Star Coin. The flag is nearby.

New Super Bros.: 6-Fort

This tower of terror is filled with spiike pillars coming out of the walls periodically. Platform with good timing and duck to avoid being skewered. The 1st Star Coin is over an alcove to the left. Soon after, you'll reach the midpoint. There's a giant Dry Bones walking around to boost off from to reach the item blocks overhead. As you ascend, you'll find a spring below a set of spike pillars that meet in the middle of the room. Time your jump carefully to reach the next platform without being hurt. As you go up, you'll reach a door. The 2nd Star Coin is to the left and just below the next door you'll encounter. Eventually, you'll reach the boss door. There's a pipe above it, so wall jump up for the 3rd Star Coin. Through the boss door, we meet up with Bowser Jr. once again. The battle takes place on a tilting platform. He's not wearing his mask, so just stomp on him or use fireballs. After you defeat him, he'll carry Peach to the next Fort.

New Super Mario Bros.: 6-2

It's back to the beach! The place is crawling with Spinies and the water periodically rises, so the Spinies will curl up and bob at the water's surface. There are Red Coins to collect here. Over one of the palm trees is an invisible block with a vine that takes you to a P-Switch. Hitting it makes silver coins and turns the coins into blocks so we can run across them. Hop over the flying item blocks for the 1st Star Coin. The first green pipe is a cannon to Coin Heaven. Here, you'll find tons of flying item blocks, some of which with 1-ups. The yellow pipe will return us to the main level in an rocky area. Go to the left when the water rises to get the 2nd Star Coin up in an alcove. Continuing to the right, you'll see the 3rd Star Coin under a log. Keep going right and you'll find an item block with a Starman. Get it and go under the log at the end of it and run into the Spinies to get the 3rd Star Coin. You may have to swim depending on the water level. Keep going right and take the yellow pipe to the flag.